House orders BFP exec replaced in TWG for conflict in bids procedure

House of Representatives. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has ordered the removal of Fire Supt. Jan Garry Lunas as head of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Technical Working Group of the agency’s Bids and Awards Committee on Wednesday.

The move comes after Lunas said he bought a sports utility vehicle registered after one of the BFP’s winning bidders procured fire trucks.

Sta. Rosa City Representative Dan Fernandez, chair of the Committee on Public Order and Safety, said that the committee has asked for Lunas’ replacement.

“So, the reason why we were asking for his removal kasi nga naco-compromise ‘yung kanilang decision bilang siya yung technical working group chairman sa bidding process,” Fernandez said.

BFP Chief Louie Puracan also said the agency will conduct a separate investigation.

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Fernandez also recommended temporarily suspending bidding for 120 fire trucks worth P1.5 billion while the issue is ongoing.

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“Ang aming request dun wag na muna nila ituloy [‘yung bidding]. Ayusin muna nila ‘yung process ng bidding nila ulit kasi nga, dahil nga tainted na iyon, compromised na iyong decision doon dahil chairman siya (Lunas), so they have to review it,” Fernandez added.

(I understand there’s a request to halt the bidding process temporarily. The bidding process needs to be addressed and fixed due to concerns about it being tainted and compromised. This is because the chairman [Lunas] is involved, so there’s a need for a thorough review before proceeding.)

According to the BFP, bids for the 120 firetrucks are opening for December 4, 11, and 12.